Pagina 208 van 817

"That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long

enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit."

Mary, though pretending not to hear, was somewhat disconcerted;

and Elizabeth, sorry for her, and sorry for her father's speech,

was afraid her anxiety had done no good. Others of the party were

now applied to.

"If I," said Mr. Collins, "were so fortunate as to be able to

sing, I should have great pleasure, I am sure, in obliging the

company with an air; for I consider music as a very innocent

diversion, and perfectly compatible with the profession of a

clergyman. I do not mean, however, to assert that we can be

justified in devoting too much of our time to music, for there

are certainly other things to be attended to. The rector of a

parish has much to do. In the first place, he must make such an

agreement for tithes as may be beneficial to himself and not

offensive to his patron. He must write his own sermons; and the

time that remains will not be too much for his parish duties, and

the care and improvement of his dwelling, which he cannot be

excused from making as comfortable as possible. And I do not

think it of light importance that he should have attentive and

conciliatory manners towards everybody, especially towards those

to whom he owes his preferment.